That's what happened last week when banjo man Danny Barnes played a solo show at the Hampton Taphouse on Friday, Oct. 12. I had listened to his new album, "Rocket," recorded for Dave Matthews' label ATO. I knew that Barnes was using electronics to bolster his live sound. I also knew he was a fine songwriter and singer and a banjo player who has stood toe-to-toe with greats like Bela Fleck and Dirk Powell.

Somehow, though, I hadn't put all the pieces of the puzzle together until Barnes started whipping up a freaky storm of sound at the Taphouse.

Over and over, Barnes used looping technology to allow him to layer banjo parts into a complex web of music. On that foundation, he played banjo solos that spiraled off into the stratosphere.

While some wild improvisations wore out their welcome, I was in awe of Barnes ability to create funky grooves, moods and textures with nothing but five strings, a laptop and a few effects pedals.

The songs didn't get lost along the way, either. Barnes first got noticed as part of the left-field, unplugged Austin, Texas, band Bad Livers. He may have explored more straight ahead styles on his solo records, but the wit and weirdness he displayed back in that era hasn't deserted him.

Drawing heavily on his 2010 album "Pizza Box," Barnes' set at the Taphouse included "Charlie," "Caveman" and the tender ballad "Overdue" as well as "TSA." He dipped into his new album, "Rocket," with "Wine" and "Safe With Me."

Elsewhere, he played memorable tunes "Get it While You Can" and "Get Me Out of Jail."

Jazzy, funky, sweet, righteously rocking, Danny Barnes does it all -- and does it with humor and heart.

"Give yourselves a round of applause for supporting strange music here in Hampton, Virginia," Barnes told the modest-sized crowd at the Taphouse.

Then, he launched into the last part of his set which included the gentle "Little Bitty Town" and the intensely crazed "Death Trip."

Like I said, Danny Barnes does it all.

(This video was not shot at the Taphouse, but it's a good example of Barnes playing in soft-and-sweet mode.)